Air-dried dog food is relatively new to the market, and with it comes a lot of confusion – and stress. The sheer amount of information can make your head spin. It can be complicated, stressful, and overwhelming to separate fact from fiction. 

But don’t worry, we have you covered. 

To help you make informed decisions, we debunked the top 10 myths about air-dried dog food.

Myth 1: Air-Dried Dog Food Is the Same as Dehydrated

This is probably the no. 1 question we get, and the answer is no, they aren’t the same. 

Air-dried dog food involves a consistent stream of warm air to remove moisture while keeping nutrients intact. Because it uses warm air, the drying process tends to be shorter than dehydrated dog food. 

And to that point, dehydrated dog food uses lower heat and air circulation to remove moisture from the dog food, resulting in a longer time to produce. 

Dehydrated dog food also requires dog parents to add water to rehydrate the dog food.

Because both air-dried and dehydrated dog food’s drying process uses heat, bacteria and pathogens are likely to be eliminated. They are also lighter weight and easier to store, compared to other types of food. 

Both options provide more nutritional integrity than kibble or canned foods, which often undergoes higher-temperature cooking, resulting in substantial nutrient degradation. 

Myth 2: Air-dried Dog Food Has Way Less Nutrients than Fresh or Raw

While the air-drying process does mean there will be some nutrient loss, it is very minimal. Indeed, Elevate Pet Provisions dog food preserves roughly 93% of nutrients in the process. 

Plus, the trade-off of feeding your dog air-dried dog food vs. fresh or raw is, because of the heat process, dog parents are reducing the risk of pathogens, such as Salmonella and E.Coli, from getting in their dog food. 

When it comes to air-dried dog food, another bonus is because moisture is removed, the food is more nutrient dense, meaning your pup needs less to get the same nutritional value.

And for those people who stress about storing dog food in their fridge, having it expire, or making a mess, air-dried dog food is more convenient and shelf stable than fresh or raw. 

Myth 3: Air-Dried Dog Food Is Just as Expensive as Fresh

Just because air-dried dog food packs a powerful nutritional punch, doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. In fact, because of its nutrient density, dogs don’t need as much food. At Elevate Pet Provisions, with a focus on limited ingredients, we don’t add additional fillers, synthetics, or preservatives, which not only makes for a less “clean” dog food, but also adds cost. 

Plus, because Elevate Pet Provisions owns its supply chain, there is no middleman or outsourcing to other companies, meaning the savings is passed onto the consumer. 

Myth 4: Air-Dried Food Is Not Suitable for All Life Stages

While some believe that air-dried dog food is only for adult dogs, this is not true. Just like kibble, wet, fresh, and other forms, air-dried can be suitable for all life stages if it meets AAFCO’s guidelines. (The other categories include Growth/Reproduction for puppies and pregnant dogs, and Maintenance for adult dogs.)

Elevate Pet Provisions meets the stringent AAFCO requirements for all life stages. And because of its soft texture and small bite sizes, it is great for puppies, along with senior dogs, who may have trouble chewing. 

Myth 5: Air-Dried Food Is Hard and Difficult for Dogs to Chew

Air-dried dog food comes in all shapes, sizes, and texture. Some may have a tougher jerky-like feel, others are softer, making it easy for dog parents to break apart. 

At Elevate Pet Provisions, we purposely made our dog food very soft, so all dogs – even those with dental problems – can enjoy it. Plus, by adding water to the food, it provides an even softer form, while also allowing nutrients to be easily absorbed.

Myth 6: You Can Store Air-Dried Food Indefinitely Because It’s Dried

In comparison to fresh and raw food, air-dried dog food does have a longer shelf life because of its low-moisture content. Dog parents don’t need to worry about freezing, unthawing, and taking up space in the refrigerator. 

However, because it is made with fresh meat and produce without added preservatives, the dog food won’t last as long as conventional kibble. Which to us is a good thing! Elevate Pet Provisions has less than 10 ingredients per formulation, as we are obsessed over freshness. There are no fillers, synthetics, or other shelf-life extenders, as we believe dogs should be fed fresh, quality, nutrient-rich food.

Myth 7: Air-Dried Food Is the Same as Freeze-Dried Food

While both focus on keeping as much nutrients as possible in dog food, the terms can’t be used interchangeably.

Freeze-dried dog food removes moisture by, you guessed it, freezing it and then using a vacuum to extract moisture. Whereas, air-dried dog food uses a low-heat gradual process to take out the moisture. 

Other differences between air-dried dog food and freeze dried is the texture, storage, preparation, and if water is needed to rehydrate. 

Myth 8: Air-Dried Dog Food Doesn’t Taste as Good as Fresh or Canned.

Because of how air-dried dog food is made, much of the natural flavor of the ingredients remain. 

With Elevate Pet Provisions, we keep it simple, with a mission to feed your dog a healthy, sustainable, high-quality food using limited ingredients. Protein is a large percentage of our formulation. It tastes yummy (so good our founder even eats it), while being more palatable than heavily processed foods, which can be higher in sodium, bulked up with fillers, and full of synthetic ingredients.

Myth 9: Air-Dried Dog Food Causes Dehydration.

Just because the food goes through a dehydration process, doesn’t mean it will make your dog dehydrated. Yes, air-dried dog food removes moisture, but keep in mind, our pups’ water intake mostly comes from drinking water, not eating food. Just make sure you always have a fresh bowl of water for your dog, and keep your dog out of the heat. Of course, if you suspect your dog is dehydrated, consult your veterinarian immediately. 

Myth 10: Air-Dried Dog Food is Not as Digestible as Other Diets

Some dog parents think that because air-dried dog food is in a more concentrated form, it will be harder to digest. While it is nutrient dense and may be richer, it is highly digestible, as it does not include fillers or additives found in other dog food. 

Also, because Elevate Pet Provisions’ dog food states to add water, it can dilute the food’s concentration level, making it easier to digest. 

This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your veterinarian before you introduce new food into your dog’s diet.